Improvement in treadles for sewing-fviachines



R. LEAVITT. n Improvement in Treadles for Sewing Machines. No. 125,201.PatentedApril2,l872.

UNITED STlaTns PATENT @Trrcn Imus LEAVLTT, or BRIDGEPORT, oonnnorroor.

IMPROVEMENT IN TREADLES FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 125,201, dated April 2,1872.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUFUS LEAVI'LT, of Bridgeport, in the county ofFair-field and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Treadles for Sewing-Machines; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawing making a part ofthis specification, and which representsthe treadle and its applicationto a sewing-machine frame or table in perspective.

I am aware that double pedals and double cranks have been used insewing-machine treadles. These I lay no claim to independent of myspecial manner of uniting and using such double pedals and doublecranks, whereby the user attains a much more natural and easy motion forhis feet, and makes the operation much less Wearying or fatiguing.

When the cranks are arranged on the qua-rter center-that is, at rightangles to each other-the motion of the feet upon the separate pedals isof the most unnatural kind, and wearing and fatiguing to the operator,inasmuch as one pedal follows the other so closely as to make the motionof the feet more like shufiiin g or skipping than the natural motion ofwalking. It is true that in this quarter center arrangement the deadcenter is almost avoided, and the machine can be started withoutapplying the hand to the fly, balance, or belt wheel; but it createsanother evil, worse than the one it remedies-namely, the exceedinglyunnatural and wearying motion of the feet.

In using one pedal, wide enough for both feet, there is an opportunityfor a change, or an alternating motion of the feet. Where two singlepedals are used the motion of the feet alternate, but there is no changeof that motion, and, consequently, no resting of the limbs or feet.

My invention consists in applying two separate pedals to two distinctcranks set at the half center, or diametrically opposite each other, sothat the motion of the feet, when on the separate pedals, shall be likethat of an easy, natural walking motion; and in making one of the pedalsof double width, or so that both of the feet of the operator may restthereon, and thus give the operator an opportunity to change from acoinciding to an alternating motion of the feet, or vice versa, and thusrest his limbs or feet, by breaking the monotony of one continuous anduniform motion.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I willproceed to describe the same with reference to the drawing.

A represents a sewing-machine table, supported on legs B B. A rod, 0,extends through from one leg or support to and through the other, whichnot only braces the supports, but serves as a hearing or fulcrum for thetwo pedals D E. Other brace-rods, F, diagonally placed, strengthen thetable. At the righthand end of the table or stand there is attached tothe leg or support Ba bent or bowed bearingpiece G, which, together withthe leg or support, form two bearings for the journals or axes to of thefly or balance wheel H, which is also the driving-wheel of thesewing-machine, or belt or band wheel, as it is termed. Upon each end ofthe shaft a of the drivingwheel H there is placed a crank, b b, so thatthe two cranks b b shall be outside of or beyond the bearings of thedriving-wheel, To these cranks b b, respectively, are connected thepitmen I I, said pitmen, at their other and lower ends, being pivoted tothe necks J J of the separate pedals D E. The pedal D is broad or wideenough to receive both of the feet of the operator, while the other, E,needs only to be wide enough for one foot 5; but the wide and the narrowpedal may be transposed without effecting any difference of operation,or of the objects to be attained.

The cranks b b, as above stated, are placed on the ends of the axis orshaft a of the belt or band wheel H, and they are set diametricallyopposite each other, or at the half center, as it is commonly called, sothat, in op erating the pedals, the motion or action of the feet may belike that in the act of walking; and the one wide and one narrow pedalallow the operator to change the motion of his feet or legs; as, forinstance, when one foot is on one pedal and the other on the otherpedal, then the motion in operating them is like that of walking, which,although a natural motion, is very tiresome and wearying when constantfor any length of time; but when both feet are upon the wide pedal, thenthe machine may be still run, but the motion of the two feet is alikeand coincident. The change from one motion connecting-rods I and I, andthe cranks b b, to the other makes the work far less wearing as and forthe purpose described and repreand \vearisome to the operator. sented.

Having thus fully described my invention, RUFUS LEAVITT. what I claimtherein as new, and desire to se- Witnesses: cure by Letters Patent,is-- CURTIS THOMPSON,

The arrangement of the two pedals D E, the GEO. V. WARNER.

